More Than Ever Before, Having A Whistleblower Attorney By Your Side Is A Must

Originally Published: October 7, 2021 | Updated: September 25, 2025

Before we even jump into the many reasons why having a whistleblower attorney by your side is imperative, let’s address the elephant in the room. One of the top stories in recent news circles around, you guessed it, the Facebook whistleblower who released thousands of pages of incriminating documents. While our team at Hershey Law will remain neutral and provide no opinions or insights, we can tell you that this very public affair will be one to remember.

Understanding the basics of whistleblowing.

“A whistleblower is someone who reports waste, fraud, abuse, corruption, or dangers to public health and safety to someone who is in the position to rectify the wrongdoing. A whistleblower typically works inside of the organization where the wrongdoing is taking place; however, being an agency or company ‘insider’ is not essential to serving as a whistleblower. What matters is that the individual discloses information about wrongdoing that otherwise would not be known.” – National Whistleblower Center.

In the current case against Facebook, former employee Frances Haugen has stated and provided circumstantial evidence that the social media giant “knows how to make Facebook and Instagram safer but won’t make the necessary changes because they have put their astronomical profits before people.” A very bold move against the multi-billion dollar typhoon. However, Ms. Haugen is within her right to make these claims and have the appropriate representation to ensure those rights are protected from retaliation.

More Than Ever Before, Having a Whistleblower Protection Lawyer by Your Side Is a Must

Speaking up about employer wrongdoing is never easy. Employees who report fraud, safety violations, or unethical behavior often face employer retaliation that threatens their careers and financial stability. Whistleblower protection laws exist to protect employees, but enforcing those rights often requires legal guidance.

Working with a whistleblower protection lawyer can help ensure your disclosure is legally protected and that you are prepared if your employer retaliates. This is especially important in California, where whistleblower protections are strong but highly procedural.

What Is Whistleblower Retaliation?

Whistleblower retaliation occurs when an employer takes adverse employment action against an employee for engaging in legally protected whistleblowing activity. Retaliation may include termination, demotion, reduced hours, harassment, or other adverse actions intended to punish or discourage reporting wrongdoing.

California law protects employees who make a protected disclosure, whether internally or to government agencies, when they report employer misconduct, safety violations, or fraud. A whistleblower attorney can help determine whether your disclosure qualifies for protection under whistleblower protection laws.

Why Working With a Whistleblower Protection Lawyer Matters

1. Understanding Whistleblower Protection Laws

Whistleblower law is complex and may involve state and federal laws depending on the type of wrongdoing reported. A whistleblower protection lawyer helps employees navigate California whistleblower protections, as well as applicable federal laws such as the False Claims Act or Sarbanes-Oxley Act when relevant. Legal counsel ensures reporting is handled correctly from the start.

2. Protecting You From Employer Retaliation

Many employees who report wrongdoing face retaliation soon after. A whistleblower attorney helps document adverse employment actions, identify employer retaliation, and take timely legal action when an employer retaliated against a protected employee.

3. Building a Strong Whistleblower Claim

Successful whistleblower cases depend on evidence. A lawyer can help preserve relevant documents, gather witness statements, and organize proof of reporting wrongdoing and retaliation. This preparation is critical in whistleblower retaliation claims.

4. Evaluating Legal Remedies and Compensation

Whistleblower retaliation cases may allow employees to seek lost wages, attorney’s fees, and other financial compensation under applicable laws. In certain false claims or qui tam lawsuits, government recoveries may trigger financial incentives for private individuals, though eligibility depends on strict statutory requirements. A whistleblower attorney can explain what remedies may apply.

5. Reducing Risk and Stress

Reporting employer wrongdoing can create uncertainty and fear. Having legal guidance allows whistleblowers to focus on their job duties and personal wellbeing while their lawyer manages the legal process and communication with employers or agencies.

What Counts as Whistleblowing?

Whistleblowing generally involves reporting:

• Financial fraud or false statements
• Fraudulent billing or avoidance of money owed to the government
• Safety violations or occupational safety concerns
• Environmental violations
• Healthcare fraud involving healthcare providers or government contracts

Whistleblower programs exist under laws such as the California False Claims Act, Federal False Claims Act, and regulations enforced by agencies like the Securities and Exchange Commission or Internal Revenue Service. A whistleblower lawyer can assess whether reporting fraud or unethical behavior qualifies for legal protection.

Who Is Protected Under Whistleblower Laws?

Whistleblower protections apply to many employees and, in some cases, job applicants or former employees. Protections may extend even when reporting wrongdoing is part of an employee’s job duties. California labor laws prohibit retaliation against employees who make protected disclosures in good faith.

Some whistleblower laws also allow whistleblowers to remain anonymous at certain stages, depending on the statute and reporting method.

How Do You Prove Whistleblower Retaliation?

To pursue whistleblower retaliation claims, employees typically must show:

1. They engaged in legally protected whistleblowing activity
2. The employer took an adverse employment action
3. The protected disclosure contributed to the employer’s action

Evidence may include timing, internal complaints, emails, witness statements, and performance records showing a change after reporting wrongdoing.

Remedies in Whistleblower Retaliation Cases

Available remedies depend on the law involved but may include:

• Reinstatement
• Back pay and lost wages
• Compensation for retaliation-related harm
• Attorney’s fees and legal costs

Some whistleblower cases involving false claims may also result in the government recovering funds, with possible financial rewards for qualifying whistleblowers.

Why Los Angeles Employees Seek Whistleblower Legal Guidance

Employees in Los Angeles and throughout California work in industries heavily regulated by state and federal agencies. A Los Angeles whistleblower lawyer familiar with local courts and labor laws can help employees protect their rights while navigating sensitive reporting situations.

Take the Next Step

If you reported employer wrongdoing or are considering reporting fraud, safety violations, or unethical conduct, speaking with a whistleblower protection lawyer can help you understand your legal rights before retaliation occurs.

Request a Free Consultation with Hershey Law to discuss whistleblower protections, employer retaliation, and your legal options under California law.